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“Come on, Tess McGuire, grab your coat.”
“Where am I going?” She looks at me, skeptically.
“For an actual burger.”
A small smirky smile spreads from her crimson lips, and I know I have her. “I have to pay Al.”
“Already done. And who drank all the vodka?”
“Different man, he didn’t pan out. Thanks for picking up his drinks.”
I give her some side-eye, and her laugh shoots straight to my balls. She’s so fucking sexy.
“The best burger in the city awaits.”
“I’ll bet that sly smile and burger invite work all the time.”
“You’re the first girl I’ve ever offered to bring to my sacred spot.”
I put my coat on and shake Al’s hand. He winks, and he motions for us to get out of here. She waves, and I put my hand on her lower back. She tenses for a second and then sinks into my touch. My fingertips absorb the kinetic energy passing between us.
Once we’re in the car, she turns to me. “How many girls has Al worked for you?”
“He did jack shit to get you in this car. Bupkus.” I smile. “You pay a guy you expect him to wingman a little better than that. Lord. You almost left at one point. I saw it in your eyes.”
“He introduced us.”
“I would’ve done that anyway. You’re far too distracting to let the opportunity pass.”
She sighs and glances out of the window. I’m fascinated with every one of her tiny movements. What makes that brilliant brain tick?
She says, “When did you know it was me?”
“When I walked in the bar.”
“Are you a fan of contemp romance, or is it romantic suspense?”
“Washington Post.” I come clean quickly, pulling up her picture from the front of this morning’s arts and leisure section of the Washington Post.
She gets shy for the first time. Her voice a bit lower. “Did you read the article?”
“Was going to when I was done staring at the picture.”
She grins at my compliment. “Staring, huh?”
“It’s like I used The Secret or sheer will to manifest you at Al’s bar. I’ve looked at it all day. Swear to fucking God. I kept pulling it up. I actually saw the paper this morning. And then put it on my phone. Something about your eyes captured me. That’s how I was able to pull it up instantly. I’ve looked at it repeatedly today. Is that scary? Stalkery?”
“Stalkery, maybe. Hot, absolutely.” Her eyes flash at me, and I know I’m not alone in this lust. “Actually, it’s sweet. I like the picture, so it’s fine. Thank you.”
I never feel an instant connection and certainly, never agree to a random dinner without thoroughly vetting the person.
“But I haven’t read it.”
“No worries. I’d prefer it if you didn’t.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s all silly nonsense, and I’m sitting right here, and you can ask me what you like instead of relying on a reporter to have mined my soul.”
